Staff Choices

The Grand Seduction is a film about a harbor in Newfoundland called Tickle Cove. Hard times have befallen on the community. Most of the men are collecting welfare checks. What was once a proud fishing community is now a place that is struggling to stay solvent. Brendan Gleason takes on the role of mayor when negotiations turn serious with a plastic company that is interested in building a plant in the harbor that will create many jobs. Besides the bribes that the company executives are demanding, there is another major glitch in awarding Tickle Cove the plastics plant.

The glitch is that a doctor must be in residence and there hasn't been a physician living in the harbor for who knows how long. Taylor Kitsch is a doctor who gets coerced into coming to the island where the community tries to give the impression they're something that they're not to entice him to move his practice there.

In 1983 Burt Lancaster starred in a cute film call Local Hero about a small harbor in Scotland that Burt's Oil corporation is trying to purchase in its entirety. The Grand Seduction is a cross between Local Hero and Doc Hollywood, which starred Michael J. Fox as a doc-outta-water who to is being wooed to stay in a small town that also is in need of a resident doctor.

The lesson learned is about honesty being the best policy. This lesson only takes 113 minutes, but is worth the time spent.

“It was bright outside. The acacia tree on the edge of the yard was blooming with white flowers. Their sweet scent caught the breeze and wafted into the coop, filling Sprout’s heart. Sprout got up and shoved her head through the wires of her cage. Her bare, featherless neck was rubbed raw. ‘The leaves laid flowers again!’ Sprout was envious. If she squinted, she could make out the light green leaves that had matured and given birth to fragrant flowers. She’d spotted the blooming acacia tree the very day she was shut in the coop.”

So begins Sun-Mi Hwang’s book, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly. At first, it seems to be only a fable about a hen named Sprout. She dreams of just once hatching one of her eggs and raising her own chick. As she orchestrates her escape form the coop and then faces life outside with all its real problems and challenges, Sprout even wonders if this was what she really wanted. But Sprout is a courageous and spunky women’s libber who will not give up on her dream.
Sun-Mi Hwang writes an amazing story which pulls us into this fable about life, struggles, the joys of friendship and motherhood. Her style seems very simple, but on a second look, although, she has used words sparingly, she created a world we can see and feel.

I recommend this wonderful little book which is really an allegory about modern life. Sun-Mi Hwang is from Korea where this book has been on the best seller’s list for more than 10 years and has been made into an animated film. This book speaks to adults as well as to children… perhaps even more to adults. The illustrations commissioned for this English-language edition enrich our imagination as we progress through the book.

It’s the perfect type of day for a book like Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory. A little gory, a little creepy… However, you will learn a bunch by reading this book. Caitlin Doughty’s book makes you think about a topic that most folks like to avoid: death. This young woman decided to become a mortician at the age of 23. The book takes a look at not only the adventures of working at a crematory/mortuary, but also gets into the history of rituals surrounding death, both internationally & nationally.

This book just might change your perspective on what should happen to you after you pass away. The author makes a depressing topic an interesting and entertaining one. The book is witty and a quick read.

If you liked Mary Roach’s book Stiff or the television series Six Feet Under, you might like this read…

A witty, fun, surprising detective story. What at first seems to be a bit of a Sherlock knock-off, quickly takes an original turn. R.F. Jackaby is a detective in 19th Century New England, but he isn't a classic detective. In fact, he misses many obvious clues that his sharp assistant, Abigail Rook, picks up on. Jackaby can see magical creatures. Not so useful in run of the mill cases, but invaluable when the murders being investigated are being perpetrated by an ancient paranormal creature. Jackaby's ability to recognize a banshee and elicit help from a ghost make up for his awkward ways.

This would be a great light read for fans of Doctor Who. There is a lovable, unflappable quirkiness about Jackaby and Abagail is a worthy assistant. Even though this book is in Kids' World (no foul language, sweet romance, light on the gore) it is suitably intelligent for teen or adult readers as well.

Branching out from his usual jokes about manatees and hot pockets, stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan’s Dad is Fat is a smart, heartwarming, and side-splittingly funny book that details all the joys and horrors of life with five young children. Written with his usual wit, Gaffigan covers everything from cousins ("celebrities for little kids"), the horrific realities of vacationing at Disneyworld, and the bond that comes from reading The Giving Tree with his young son (as well as his children’s insightful comments on their father’s weight, hence the title of the book). The inclusion of dozens of photographs featuring Gaffigan's adorable family only serves to make this book an all the more enjoyable read.

For parents and non-parents alike, such as myself, Dad is Fat is a hilarious, heartwarming cry for help from a man who has realized he and his wife are outnumbered in their own home.

Looking for a movie whose mission might make you feel good to be alive? Try actor/director Jon Favreau's latest creation Chef. It is loosely based on the book L.A. Son : My Life, My City, My Food by Master Chef Roy Choi. This movie has all the necessary ingredients: a great soundtrack, perfect casting, clever script, a lovable kid, fantastic editing and if you like to cook, there's tons of tips.

This movie has been categorized as a road-trip-flick, but it is much more. It tries to show the importance of following one's dreams, no matter what the cost.

Before sitting down to watch this film, just make sure you've had a big meal, or you're gonna have to plan on pausing it before it's over, to run to the kitchen.

The five talented and extremely energetic hosts of the ABC television show, The Chew, are back with a new cookbook just in time for the holidays. Whether you are thinking about your upcoming Halloween party, a Thanksgiving feast, or celebrations beyond those two, you will find them covered in this book.

The format of this cookbook is one complete menu per holiday or event. Recipes range from cocktails to dessert, and everything in between. The book is filled with photographs of both food and the antics of The Chew hosts. One thing I particularly liked about the book was that beside your standard ingredient lists and prep times, there was a skill level attached to each recipe. There are also general entertainment tips and a few decoration and gift ideas thrown in.

I found this to be a colorful and fun book to get me thinking about the festivity-filled months ahead. This is the third companion book from the show. Be sure to check out the others as well. Happy Holidays!

Looking for something different to watch that is not the latest, mass-produced, run-of-the-mill product of our Hollywood Film Factory? A film that is off-center, dark, disturbing, thoughtful, well-acted, and futuristic? A film whose script, at times, is reminiscent of a Seth MacFarlane Family Guy TV episode?

Look no further. The Roveris directed by Australia's David Michôd, whose first film, Animal Kingdom, won 39 international awards in 2011.

The Rover stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson. It's a little like Mad Max meets The Road. The setting is recent future Australia, 10 years after some sort of apocalyptic event. Pearce is a loner who has his car stolen by three desperate armed men who just committed a violent robbery and are running from what appears to be the local martial law. They have just left a 4th gang member, Pattinson, for dead, at the scene of the heist. The two stars join forces and pursue the 3 villains.

Pearce's character has so much baggage that it would make even Paris Hilton blush. The interesting thing about this film is that it takes its time to unpack all that baggage. Pattinson appears to be valiantly trying to distance himself from his past pretty-boy parts (as in the Twilight Saga). This performance showcases a dramatic range that will shock his fans and critics.

An intelligent new mystery by Randy Wayne White, Doc Ford, marine biologist and man with a mysterious and lethal past is up to his neck in a complex case.

Doc is asked by his his friend Tomlinson, a self medicated Zen master of sorts to help him and his Crow Indian friend to recover an old Indian relic. Doc is also hired by Leland Albright the wealthy owner of a phosphate mind in central Florida known as the Bone Valley. Leland and his dysfunctional family, trophy wife Ava and their twin daughters and stepson Owen lead them into the dark world of crazy relic collectors.

Doc, Tomlinson, and Duncan are soon being chased by a psychotic biker with a bionic arm who wants access to the private Bone Valley. A fast, entertaining,informative and funny mystery, the 21st in the Doc Ford series.

During my formative years, my parents used reverse psychology on me, allowing me to stay up to watch Johnny Carson if I agreed not to complain about getting up for school in the morning. I was so excited to read a book about this legendary entertainment powerhouse. Johnny Carson’s long time lawyer & confidant, Henry Bushkin, is the author of this book. Mr. Bushkin was sworn to secrecy regarding his interactions as Johnny’s attorney, until Johnny’s death in 2005. Johnny Carson preferred to keep a low profile in his private life so it was great to gain some perspective on the man behind The Tonight Show.

While this book is a work of non-fiction, the pace was fast enough to keep my interest. Especially interesting were the accounts of Johnny’s relationship with his mother & father, his marriages, details about show guests, Johnny’s travels and how he became the country’s highest-paid entertainer during the ‘70s & ‘80s. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a biography by a longtime friend who, eventually, had a falling out with Johnny. How the book has been received has been a bit controversial. Folks like Doc Severinsen have blasted the tell-all book. However, it’s worth a read if you would like to learn some juicy details about the “King of Late Night TV”.

If your status is Confirmed Registration, your spot for the event is confirmed.

If registration for this event is full, you will be placed on a waiting list. Wait listed registrants are moved to the confirmed registration list (in the order of registration) when cancelations are received. You will receive an email notification if you are moved from the wait list to the confirmed registration list.

6.012 Patron-Generated Content

04/27/2011

The Library offers various venues in which patrons can contribute content that is accessible to the public. These include, but are not limited to, blogs, reviews, forums, and social tagging on the Library’s website and catalog. Any instance in which a patron posts written or recorded content to any of the Library’s venues that are accessible to the public is considered “patron-generated content” and is subject to this policy.

By contributing patron-generated content, patrons grant the Library an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual right and license to use, copy, modify, display, archive, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works based upon that content.

By submitting patron-generated content, patrons warrant they are the sole authors or that they have obtained all necessary permission associated with copyrights and trademarks to submit such content.

Patrons are liable for the opinions expressed and the accuracy of the information contained in the content they submit. The Library assumes no responsibility for such content.

The Library reserves the right not to post submitted content or to remove patron-generated content for any reason, including but not limited to:

content that is profane, obscene, or pornographic;

content that is abusive, discriminatory or hateful on account of race, national origin, religion, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation;

content that contains threats, personal attacks, or harassment;

content that contains solicitations or advertisements;

content that is invasive of another person’s privacy;

content that is unrelated to the discussion or venue in which it is posted;

content that is in violation of the Library’s Code of Conduct or any other Library policy